Shillong, May 25: Nongkseh SSCC and Shillong Lajong FC finished first and second respectively in Group A of the 5th Meghalaya State League quarterfinal league stage after both came through their respective matches at the SSA Stadium here today.
Both Nongkseh and Lajong had already secured the top two spots in Group A before today. The only thing left to decide was which team finished first and which was second.
Nongkseh held off Mawlai SC 2-1 in the evening and, in the earlier game, Fridison Wanniang (42′, 54′) scored in either half for Lajong’s 2-0 win against Rangdajied United FC. Chesterpaul Lyngdoh (8′) and Sheen Sohktung (14′) scored two goals early for Nongkseh before Syndongmiki Lyngdoh (46′) pulled one back for Mawlai in the first minute of the second half.
Fridison has been developing plenty of confidence in recent games and looks like he is beginning to settle well with his new club after switching from Laitkor SC before the MSL. He is now Lajong’s top scorer with 7 goals.
For Rangdajied, meanwhile, there was to be no fairytale ending to their campaign as they bowed out with a sixth straight defeat. The 2023 champions sneaked through preliminary Group H into the pre-quarterfinals, where they required extra time to get past Janepih YSCA. A decisive turnaround was hoped for in the quarterfinal league but never came, though they showed moments of promise.
With Lajong winning their game, Nongkseh had to take 3 points against MSL 4 champs Mawlai in order to win the group. They started the right way with Chester thumping home a cross from the left and Sheen then producing a strong left-footer to double the lead.
A mistake by Nongkseh goalkeeper Guidle Syiemlieh allowed Mawlai back into the game, with Syndongmiki producing an excellent shot that enlivened his team mates and the Mawlai fans, who were eager to see their team do well before bowing out of the competition. Guidle made up for his mistake with a couple of solid saves soon after but Mawlai had the momentum, so the defence was kept busy for the entire second half.
Nongkseh, playing in their first MSL, are unbeaten in 13 games – they are the only team yet to be defeated and will take plenty of confidence going into the semifinal round.
Tomorrow will witness the last quarterfinal league matches, in Group B. At 2pm bottom-placed Maram FC will go up against leaders Langsning FC and the evening kick-off will be a humdinger between Rymbai Shkenshynriah SC and Nangkiew Irat SC from 6pm.
Langsning are already through to the semis but it is all to play for between Shkenshynriah and Nangkiew Irat. Having beaten Nangkiew 2-1 in the first leg, Shkenshynriah have head-to-head advantage and only need a draw to progress, while Nangkiew Irat have to win to keep going.
